Stabilization of Black Cotton Soil Using XL-Terrasoil and XL-Bond

Abstract:

Black cotton soil (BCS) which is an example of expansive soil has present substantial obstacles to engineering projects. The seasonal volumetric changes in this black cotton soil led to swelling and shrinkage, thereby compromising its geotechnical properties and making it unsuitable for engineering project. In this study, black cotton sol was stabilized using various ratios of xl-Terrasoil and xl-Bond to enhance the soil's properties.. Xl-Terrasoil and xl-Bond are chemical product with stabilizing properties and commercially available. Samples of BCS were examined by varying percentages of xl-Terrasoil and xl-Bond to 1, 1.5 2, 5, 6 and 7%, of xl-Terrasoil with 2, 3, 4,10, 12 and 14% of xl-Bond. A variety of geotechnical tests, including the Atterberg limit, compaction, and California bearing ratio tests, were performed to evaluate the enhancement of soil characteristics. The results from the Atterberg limit test indicated a decrease in the liquid limit (LL) and an increase in the plastic limit (PL) when compared to the high values recorded in the control sample. The mix ratio of 7% xl-Terrasoil and 14% xl-Bond produced the highest maximum dry density (MDD) alongside the lowest optimum moisture content (OMC). For the California bearing ratio (CBR), the highest value was observed in the combination of 7% xl-Terrasoil and 14% xl-Bond, which demonstrated a more effective stabilizer mixture in this analysis. Conclusively, the properties of BCS have improved with certain proportions of these admixtures thereby making the soil more stable. Further investigation on the long term of these admixtures on environmental conditions is suggested.

• Periodical: Construction Technologies and Architecture (Volume 22)
• Pages: 33-42
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-sV4wdK
• Online since: March 2026
• Authors: Patricia Ejiga*, Akeem Amuda, Oluwaseyi Kolawole, Emmanuel E. Ndububa, Emenoge Rugba, Temitayo S. Ogedengbe
• Keywords: Black Cotton Soil, California Bearing Ratio, Compaction, XL-Bond, XL-Terrasil

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